699 - Val Senales

I have been looking at both a road atlas and at satellite images of the climb up Val Senales, and there seems to be a tunnel between the foot of the climb and the village Rattisio Vecchio (closer to the village than the foot of the climb). It appears to be 200-300 meters long. My concern is that there is a bend in the section that appears to be a tunnel and this could make it quite dark.

If there is anyone who has done this climb and knows whether it in fact is a tunnel and not just a gallery, I would be very grateful for the information. Also, if it indeed is a tunnel, would it be safe to ride it without lights or would you recommend me to mount lights on my bike before attempting it? If I can do without it without jeopardizing my safety, it would be nice. However, I much rather put on some lights than risk being run over inside a tunnel because the driver of a car does not see me.

At the beginning of the climb there is a pretty long tunnel. It is good lighted and there is not too much traffic. I have seen worse. I have learned to do what the local cyclist do when there is a tunnel. Just cycle through it. I never heard about accidents with cyclists in a tunnel, I supose people in a car keep there eyes on the road and are more carefull in tunnels. For example towards col de Nivolet there is a tunnel 3,5 km long, steep and not to good lighted.You always have to be carefull and keep right in spite of the rubish on the road.